| Conscientious Objectors
Questions Recruiters Don't Want You to Ask
- Job Skills - Why do veterans earn less than similar non veterns?
- Why are veterans imprisioned more often? Why are 1/3 of all homeless veterans?
- Money for College - Why do 65% of recruits who pay the required $1,200 into the Montgomery GI Bill never get a dime in return?
- Opportunity - Recruits have the opportunity to be harrassed, discriminated against, kicked out for having sex. Why do people of color represent 1/3 of all enlisted personnel but only 1/8 of the officers?
- Adventure - Does dropping bombs on kids really sound like fun? How about killing or dying for corporate profit?
- Length of Service - The military regards you as part of the Individual Ready Reserve, and therfore subject to call-up, for over eight years from the date of your arrival at basic training, even though you signed up for two years.
- Money for College - 2/3 of all recruits never get any college funding from the millitary. Only 15% graduated with a four year degree.
Basic Information on Filing a Conscientious Objector Claim
- If you register with Selective Service, write that you are a CO on the card before sending it in. Photocopy the card and send it to yourself and leave it sealed.
- Write a statement of beliefs that explains why, how, when, where etc. that you became a CO. List anything that could have influeneced your beliefs against war and killing.
- Find 3 people who know you very well and can write a letter on your behalf supporting your CO status.
- Compile all documents and get them notarized.
- Put everything into a safe place and if you get drafted you can present this claim to your local draft board.
You need to build a paper trail and document everything possible that could help define you as a person who could not go to war. Have your photo, for example, taken at an anti-war event.
"The means by which we live have outdistanced the ends for which we live. Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missles and misguided men." MLK (1963)
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Children's Poems about Peace
Peace starts with good deeds like taking out the trash and opening the door for old people.
Jamien Alexander, Grade 3
Peace is like a puzzle, first one piece then another. If one piece doesn't fit you try another. Don't get discouraged. It it doesn't work find another one. That's what peace ia al about, just one step at a time. Working slowly, that's what will bring peace.
Joyce Kurtz, Grade 6
Peace is like a song that will last forever.
Dennis Barth, Grade 1
Millions of grass blades in the world, sperate, but together, rippling in a peaceful army, when the wind blows. America should take nature's example, a peaceful army we could be and show other countries a real true peace, peaceful and together.
Edwin Boller, Grade 7
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